When it comes to buying a car, one thing many consumers don’t realize is how much damage can be done to their credit profile before they even drive off the lot. I’ve seen it happen too many times — someone walks into a dealership thinking they’re applying for one loan, and a few days later they notice 8, 10, even 15 inquiries on their credit report. That can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to keep your credit score strong for other major purchases like a home or b

If you’ve owned your home for a few years, chances are you’ve built up some serious equity—especially with how much values have jumped in...